Practice Guidelines 2011 EQIP

NRCS, California

Pest Management(595)

Use of UCIPM Year-Round program – Level 1

Producer utilizes the UCIPM Year Round IPM Program as found on the UCIPM website: In order to be eligible a crop must have a complete Year Round program available from UCIPM at their website. Crops thatcurrently have programs available are: alfalfa, almond, apricot, avocado, cherry, citrus, cotton, grape, lettuce, nectarine, peach, pear, plum, potato, prune, strawberry, tomato, and walnut.

  • Local NRCS field staff will work with local UCCE advisors to make changes in the Year-Round programs appropriate for local conditions. When methods will deviate from those described in the applicable Pest Management Guide the producer (or PCA) will provide a written description of the change prior to completing the contract. The change must be approved by NRCS. NRCS may consultwith the local UCCE IPM expert.
  • Chemicals least disruptive to the IPM program and least risk to water quality will be used if possible. Alternative lower risk chemicals are found on the UCIPM website in the Pest Management Guidelines using the WaterTox feature. Pyrethroids, carbamates, and organophosphates will not be used without evidence that a listed softer chemical will not be effective in a particular circumstance. Producer will describe the evidence supporting the use of a pyrethroid, carbamate, or organophosphate in writing and retain it.
  • Payment may be made annually for up to three years. A payment cap per contract for all Practice 595 activities may be imposed at the county level.
  • Producers who have been practicing parts of the Year-Round program on eligible crops are eligible by adopting all remaining techniques. If the additional practices represent a small addition to the producer’s existing methods the District Conservationist may decline to fund the practice based on insignificant environmental benefit.
  • -Field office staffs should evaluate the most likely chemical usage of each producer using WIN-PST to determine if mitigation is needed. This may be postponed if a list of highly likely chemicals can not be determined during the initial planning. Follow requirements of the 595 standard.
  • -To limit negative impacts on air quality, emulsifiable concentrate formulations of chemicals will not be used when other formulations are available that will adequately meet the pest control objectives.
  • -Acres certified as or transitioning to organic production are not eligible for Year-Round Program Level 1. Acres in the three year transition period prior to organic certification may be eligible for the 595 practice “Transition to Organic Certification”. Certified acres are eligible for “High Cost Organic Pest Management Practices” to cost share specific higher cost practices.

To receive payment:

  • perform all of the activities described in the Year-Round program. Where alternative activities are described in the Pest Management Guidelines on the UCIPM website they may be used when the criteria for their use is met.
  • maintain records of all monitoring and other actions taken to manage pests, using the Annual Checklist and other forms recommended for the crop, consistent with the local guidelines.
  • providerecords for NRCS to review, as requested. Include Pesticide Use Reports with date, rate, and location of applications, receipts for materials and professional services as needed, monitoring records, explanation for use of organophosphate, carbamate, or pyrethroid, and other information as required. Records need not be retained by NRCS. Producer must retain all records for a minimum of five years.

Prepared by R. Fry 11/2010